“Embracing technology isn’t just about short-term efficiency,” Paul says. “It’s a strategic investment that streamlines operations, reduces costs and ultimately cultivates higher production, nurturing the growth of our dairy farm.”

Even though dairy farmers operate their individual farms, they learn from one another how best to use technology.

“It’s so important to learn from others who are ahead of you — technology and those advancements can be pricey, so it’s through conversation and collaboration that you gain valuable insights,” Kaleb says.

Ways dairy farmers use technology

Dairy farmers use a variety of dairy farming practices and tools to improve productivity on their farms.

Cow monitoring

Many different types of cow monitoring systems exist, but they all enable dairy farmers to track the health, productivity and well-being of their cows.

These monitoring systems use the Internet of Things, or IoT. IoT might sound like a complex concept, but it’s something you’re likely already using without even knowing it. It’s all about connecting everyday devices to the internet so they can collect and share data. This includes everything from your fitness-tracking smartwatch to your home’s temperature-controlling smart thermostat. And, this technology is transforming traditional dairy farming into “smart” dairy farming, where everything is interconnected and more efficient.

By using sensors or cameras, cow monitoring systems collect data on various aspects of each cow, such as movement, milk production and eating habits, enabling dairy farmers to detect any health issues right away. Cows often wear smart collars that track this information.

“Having daily insights into cow health proves beyond valuable. With our computer system and rumination collars, we can swiftly detect potential infections or illnesses,” Paul says. “By administering the proper treatment or therapy early on, we can potentially prevent health events from happening or help our cows recover from them much faster.”

These systems also help dairy farmers produce high-quality milk.

“With advanced monitoring systems, I can keep a close eye on my herd, regardless of where I am on the farm,” Kaleb says. “Whether it’s tracking milk production or predicting calving times, technology has made the job easier and more efficient.”

From the touch of their computers, farmers are using a variety of IoT technology and data analytics to improve their farms and advance the future of the dairy industry.

Robotics and automation

Just like a programmable coffeemaker brews your coffee before you wake up or a robot vacuum does the dirty work of cleaning floors for you, dairy farmers use robotics and automation on their farms to free up their time and work more efficiently.

Milking robots

Robotic milkers or automatic milking systems make it possible for cows to be milked on their own schedules. When a cow is ready to be milked, she enters the pen, and the robot recognizes her based on the sensors in the collar she wears. After her udders are cleaned and sanitized, a robotic arm extends to milk the cow and a feeding box swivels out to give her a small snack to enjoy while she waits the five minutes or so it takes to be milked. When finished, a gate automatically opens and she heads back into the barn.

Robotic feed pushers

These R2-D2 look-alikes roam feed lanes at specified times, pushing fresh feed within easy reach for the cows. Cows are messy eaters, and feed pushers help reduce feed waste and allow dairy farmers and farm workers to spend more time in other areas of their operation, while robots perform this labor-intensive chore.

These devices are so handy, some farmers even name theirs. “June, our trusty feed pusher, ensures the cows can reach what they need when it’s mealtime,” Paul says.

Automatic feeding systems

Cows like to snack throughout the day (who doesn’t!?) and automatic feeding systems ensure cows get fresh feed in the right portions in the feed lane. A machine places the feed automatically, saving labor time.

Feeding management tools and software

Dairy farmers want to ensure their herd is receiving the best nutrition possible. After all, producing high-quality milk burns a lot of calories. With precision feeding and nutrition software, dairy farmers can tailor what each cow needs based on her nutritional requirements and performance data — right from their computer, tablet or smartphone.

“Every cow is an athlete,” Kaleb says, underscoring the importance of providing them with precise and consistent nutrition.

Smart devices

From smart fans that increase in speed as the temperature goes up to keep the cows comfortable to rain sensors that close the curtains around the barn if a storm moves in, dairy farmers are using smart devices to keep their cows happy and comfortable.

Precision farming

In addition to milking cows, dairy farmers often grow crops and hay to help feed their herd. Through precision farming, dairy farmers can use data to make decisions that allow them to optimize resource use and increase yields. Advanced technology like GPS and sensors enable dairy farmers to monitor crop health, soil conditions and weather patterns, leading to a more productive harvest.

Innovative trends on your table (or in your pantry)

It’s not just agriculture technology that’s supporting the future of the dairy industry, but also innovations you see right in your own grocery store.

Some trends in the dairy industry powered by innovation include:

• Functional dairy products: More and more innovative dairy products are being developed that offer additional health benefits on top of the already great nutrition of dairy, such as probiotic milk and fermented dairy products like yogurt drinks and more
• Lactose-free milk:  An exciting innovation — lactose-free milk — has all the nutrition of conventional milk, like calcium, vitamin D and potassium, just with the lactose removed. Some lactose-removal methods can compromise the taste of the milk, but lactose-free milk produced by DFA farmer-owned brands is pasteurized through an innovative process called high-temperature short-time (HTST) processing. It preserves the fresh taste, and it uses lower temperatures to eliminate bad bacteria but keeps the healthy bacteria our bodies need
• Modern packaging: New technology in packaging and processing are inspiring innovative dairy products that increase the shelf life of milk, reduce waste and ensure freshness. For example, extended shelf-life processing extends the shelf life of fresh milk, and aseptic processing makes milk completely shelf stable before opening so it doesn’t have to be refrigerated

What’s next for the future of the dairy industry?

Thanks in part to exciting new, advanced technology (and the savvy dairy farmers using it), the future of the dairy industry is bright. That’s good news for those of us who can’t imagine a world without cheese or ice cream!

At DFA, we’re always looking ahead to what’s next in technology for the dairy industry and how it can benefit DFA farmers. It’s why every year, we host our DFA CoLAB Accelerator, a program to help accelerate and grow startup businesses in agriculture technology. Through mentorship and educational programming, our subject matter experts partner with the founders of these startups to help them gain a deeper understanding of the dairy industry and to improve their businesses. Through the years, startups offering everything from artificial intelligence on the farm to soil technology to dilute methane emissions have participated in our program.

We’re a leading global dairy cooperative made up of family dairy farmers. Our commitment goes beyond producing nutritious and delicious dairy: We’re constantly innovating, testing new technology and finding fresh ways to make the dairy you enjoy good for the planet, too.

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